Yusuf Kama

Yusuf Kama is a French-Senegalese pure-blood wizard who plays a significant role in the search for Credence Barebone in 1927. Driven by a vengeful Unbreakable Vow sworn to his father, his story is deeply intertwined with the dark history of the Lestrange family. He is a character exclusive to the Fantastic Beasts film series and does not appear in the original seven Harry Potter novels (film).

Yusuf Kama's life was defined by the tragedy that befell his parents. His mother, Laurena Kama, was abducted from her husband, Mustafa Kama, by Corvus Lestrange IV through the use of the Imperius Curse. She later died giving birth to a daughter, Leta Lestrange. Yusuf's father was overcome with grief and, on his deathbed, made Yusuf swear an Unbreakable Vow to kill the person Corvus Lestrange loved most in the world—his son, Corvus Lestrange V (film). Yusuf spent years tracking the last male heir of the Lestrange line. His quest led him to believe that the powerful Obscurial, Credence Barebone, was in fact Corvus V. In 1927, he established a hideout in the Parisian sewers and successfully captured both Newt Scamander and Tina Goldstein, believing they could lead him to Credence. He revealed his tragic family history to them before being incapacitated by Newt's Niffler. He later formed a tenuous alliance with Newt, Tina, and others to find Credence, leading them to the Lestrange Mausoleum in the Père Lachaise Cemetery. It was there that Leta Lestrange revealed that she had accidentally caused her baby brother Corvus's death years ago, meaning Yusuf's vow was targeted at a person who was already dead. He subsequently joined the effort to oppose Gellert Grindelwald at his rally, surviving the battle that followed (film).

Yusuf Kama is a tall, imposing man who typically dresses in a sharp suit, a long coat, and a fedora. He has a serious and intense demeanor, a direct result of the lifelong burden of his Unbreakable Vow. He is calculating, patient, and singularly focused on his mission of revenge. Initially presented as an antagonist, he is revealed to be a tragic figure rather than a truly malevolent one, and is willing to ally with others when their goals align (film).

Yusuf is a highly competent and powerful wizard.

• Duelling: He was skilled enough to non-verbally subdue and capture both Newt Scamander, a highly accomplished Magizoologist, and Tina Goldstein, a trained Auror from MACUSA (film).
• Non-Verbal Magic: He is shown using non-verbal spells to great effect, such as when he immobilised Tina Goldstein (film).
• Charms: He used a non-verbal Freezing Charm (Immobulus) to capture Tina (film).

• Wand: Yusuf owned a wand of unknown wood, core, and length. Its handle was uniquely shaped, resembling a spiralled seashell (film).
• Family History Box: He possessed a magical box that contained enchanted, moving photographs and documents detailing his family's history and tragic connection to the Lestranges. He used this to explain his motivations to Newt and Tina (film).

• Lestrange Family: The Lestranges are the object of Yusuf's lifelong hatred. He despises Corvus Lestrange IV for what he did to his mother and is bound by a vow to kill Corvus Lestrange V.
• Leta Lestrange: As his maternal half-sister, Leta is the only other living person who shares his tragic family history. Their relationship is complex and strained, rooted in shared trauma but separated by their different upbringings and loyalties (film).
• Newt Scamander and Allies: Initially his prisoners, Newt and Tina become his reluctant allies. He cooperates with them out of a shared interest in finding Credence Barebone, though he remains distrustful and distant (film).

• Yusuf: The name is the Arabic form of the Hebrew name “Yosef,” which means “He will add” or “God increases.” It is a common name in many Muslim cultures, including in Senegal, reflecting his heritage.
• Kama: In Sanskrit, “Kāma” refers to desire, passion, and longing. This poignantly reflects the central themes of his family's story, which is driven by Corvus Lestrange IV's obsessive desire for his mother.

Yusuf Kama is a character created exclusively for the Fantastic Beasts film series and is not mentioned in the original Harry Potter books or their supplementary materials written by J.K. Rowling. In the films, he is portrayed by the actor William Nadylam. All canonical information regarding his character is derived from the films Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald and Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore and their official screenplays.